What can I expect at a murder-mystery party?

I'm attending a murder mystery party Thursday night, and aside from one or two acquaintances, I won't know anyone there (it's a networking thing). I have my invitation with my character description and a few instructions, like find Jane Doe and reveal xyz, but aside from that, I don't know what to expect. I'd prefer not to make an ass of myself. :-)

Any tips? Also, any suggestions on a gift for the hostess? Bottle of wine, maybe?

Re: What can I expect at a murder-mystery party?

I've been to two different types. One is small, only 6-8 people, where everyone reads from a script and is very involved as a character. The other is much larger, anywhere from 50-100 people, where everyone has one or two little tasks until it becomes clear that only about 5 people have real "characters" and the story centers around them. Do you know how many people will be attending?

Every murder mystery party I've gone to has required a costume (come "in character"), but I'm not sure if that's the same when it's a networking event. Then again, I notice from your blog that you're an author -- as a writer myself, I could see the "networking" being more creative/casual, so costumes wouldn't be unexpected, I don't think...

Do you know the hostess well? Wine is usually good, but if they don't drink/have alcohol in their home for some reason, it would be kind of a waste. I'd suggest something like chocolates instead (where, if they don't eat them, it's easier to share with party guests). It might also be fun to theme the gift to the theme of the murder mystery. For example, if it's "luau" themed, bring some macadameia nuts in chocolate.

I've been to two different types. One is small, only 6-8 people, where everyone reads from a script and is very involved as a character. The other is much larger, anywhere from 50-100 people, where everyone has one or two little tasks until it becomes clear that only about 5 people have real "characters" and the story centers around them. Do you know how many people will be attending?

Every murder mystery party I've gone to has required a costume (come "in character"), but I'm not sure if that's the same when it's a networking event. Then again, I notice from your blog that you're an author -- as a writer myself, I could see the "networking" being more creative/casual, so costumes wouldn't be unexpected, I don't think...

Do you know the hostess well? Wine is usually good, but if they don't drink/have alcohol in their home for some reason, it would be kind of a waste. I'd suggest something like chocolates instead (where, if they don't eat them, it's easier to share with party guests). It might also be fun to theme the gift to the theme of the murder mystery. For example, if it's "luau" themed, bring some macadameia nuts in chocolate.

This will definitely fall into the second category (50-100 people). I'm supposed to be a doctor who loves to paint, so I picked up a white lab coat and some scrubs from a thrift store, and I've got a few paint brushes to stick in my pocket. It was suggested I bring a gun, too, but they don't make realistic toy guns anymore, so my kids' pink water pistol will have to suffice, lol.

The host is in my RWA chapter, but I don't know her well. I like your idea to bring chocolates since I don't know if she's a drinker. Thanks!

Oh man, it was SO much fun! Everyone dressed up and arrived in character (about 60 people). We picked up our name tags, sat with our teams, and had a few drinks before dinner. After eating, we mingled and "bought" information from each other with play money, then milled around the yard to find eight hidden clues. After about an hour, we regrouped with our team to discuss the evidence we'd purchased or uncovered. Each team submitted their #1 suspect to the hostess, and then she revealed the killer.